Meridian

Lydd Airport plan to go ahead

Breaking: Plans to expand Lydd airport In Kent will be revealed by the Secretary of State at 5pm. The proposals, which divided locals, have been under consideration for years, leading to the government to call in the decision.

The Leader of Shepway Council, Cllr Robert Bliss, said he was delighted with the Secretary of State’s decision to approve plans for a runway extension and new terminal building at Lydd Airport.

This vindicates the decision we made in March 2010 to approve the expansion plans. We spent several hours debating all the issues and were aware of the environmental concerns expressed by some parties. _However we were confident that any impacts could be mitigated and that the undeniable benefits to the Marsh economy outweighed any environmental impacts. As a council we believe that the expansion plans will offer an economic lifeline to the Marsh._

The area is losing its power stations at Dungeness and there is no other significant employer waiting in the wings. An expanded airport will have the capacity to provide a range of jobs and this must be good for our Marsh community.

The scheme was dubbed one of the most controversial projects in the South East.

Management at the London Ashford International airport at Lydd wanted to extend the runway and build a new terminal building to cater for half a million passengers a year. But campaigners said it would devastate the local environment.

Breaking: An announcement about plans to expand Lydd airport In Kent is expected to made by the Secretary of State at 5pm. The proposals, which divided locals, have been under consideration for years, leading the government to call in the decision.